BTO loses P3 Million in Seal blunder

A reported blunder by the Botswana Tourism Office (BTO) has caused soul sensation Seal to pocket P3. 2 million and cancel his much-anticipated debut performance in the country.

Despite paying the whopping P3.2million to capture Seal’s sought-after services – money they will not be able to get back – the legendary singer will not take part in the BTO’s ‘Of basket and Song’ extravaganza, which was scheduled for March 10 at the University of Botswana (UB) stadium.

According to a well-placed source, the costly cancellation is due to a breach of contract by the BTO.

“They have already paid Seal and his management P3.2 million. One of the things that BTO did wrong was to advertise the event before they were given the green light as per the contract – this was a directive from the marketing manager’s office,” claimed the source, adding that the initial budget for the show – which was critically tipped to disrupt the Hamptons Jazz Festival, scheduled for March 24 – had tallied up to P9 million.

“Last week they were looking to replace Seal with Boyz II Men. I am not sure if they have closed the deal; I am sure, however, that Seal will not be paying back the money already paid to him, so BTO will have to look for another budget to be able to pay those that will be replacing Seal as the headline act,” continued the source.

Seal’s no-show has forced the BTO to reschedule the event, which had been organised to celebrate ‘10 remarkable years of sustainable and diverse tourism’.

Speaking to Voice Entertainment this week, BTO’s mouthpiece, Keitumetse Setlang ruefully confirmed as much, saying, “The event has been postponed. We will communicate the new dates for the event.”

However, Setlang would not be drawn into discussing the budget for the show or why Seal decided to pull out.

Voice Entertainment has also been informed by those close to the organisation that the event was BTO’s way of celebrating outgoing President Ian Khama’s ‘successful’ tenure and ‘all that he has achieved’.

Khama steps down on March 31st and the event was allegedly BTO’s farewell party to His Excellency – whispers that Setlang also refused to comment on.